All About Eggplants

A bit of basic information that you need to know

Eggplant – Basic Preparation

Many of the steps are repeated in all of below recipes

Grandpa’s Eggplant Parmigiana

Ingredients

1 eggplant – peeled and cut into 1/4 inch (or thinner) slices
Marinara sauce
Ricotta cheese *
Grated cheddar cheese
Sliced Provalone or Mozzarella cheese
1/2 onion (finely diced)
2 garlic cloves – sliced paper thin
1/4 CU coarsely chopped fresh basil* Traditionally, Parmesan recipes also use Ricota cheese.Check out GrandpaCooks.com for our recipe on making your own homemade cheese. This does not have the exact taste of Ricotta, but we like it better. The main thing is that it does not melt, and it is fun and real easy to make.

1. Peel eggplant
2. Place sliced eggplant on wire rack over top of the sink
3. Sprinkle both sides liberally with salt
4. Let rest 30 minutes
5. Rinse slices very well or the final dish will be too salty
6. Pat slices dry and dredge in flour/paprika mixture
7. Fry in 2 TBL EVOO @ 350º until browned, but not completely cooked – about 3 minutes for each side
8. Set on a paper towel or newspaper to drain

Spread 2 TBL marinara over bottom of a baking ramekin
Place one of the slices in the ramekin
Spread with 2 TBL marinara
Sprinkle with a bit of shredded cheeses
Place other slice on the cheese
Spread more marinara
Put sliced Provalone over top of marinara
Sprinkle with garlic and onion
Sprinkle with a bit more cheese
Repeat until slices are gone
Drizzle with a bit of EVOO
Put 2-3 toothpicks in so it doesn’t slide apart
Cover and bake at 350º for about 15 minutes
Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes
Top with shreds of Parmesan and a few chiffonades of basil
Serve with Italian bread

Easy Eggplant Parm

Preheat oven to 450º
Peel eggplant and cut into 1/4 inch steaks
Combine 1/2 C panko and 1/4 C shredded Parm
Dip one side in egg wash
Put egg washed side into Panko mixture
Put on lightly oiled sheet pan – Panko and Parm on top
Bake for 5-8 minutes
Flip so that Panko and Parm are down, and reduce temp to 350º
Top with red sauce and a sheet of Mozzarella cheese
Bake on bottom rack 10-15 minutes
Serve with Italian bread

THIRD PARTY RECIPES

The information below this section is from a third party. It is part of Grandpa's Personal Recipe box. Feel free to browse, but know that this information is from someone else.